DARRYL WALKER won his first Spring Tour Grand Prix in Cavan last Sunday. Partnering the nine-year-old mare Cushions, the Dublin native set the pace early on in the 20-strong jump-off at a blistering 44.18 seconds.

Less than a second separated the top-three finishers; Susan Fitzpatrick and Cavalino were runners up in 44.76, while Jordan Coyle and VDL Cassius were third in 44.86.

“This was our first show this year so it was a great way to start. I’m delighted with how Cushions went. Her owner Manuela Martinelli is Italian and she happened to be here today to see the win so that was extra special.

“I’ve had her for a year and a half now but I had a back operation before Christmas so I had to take some time off after that so we are still getting to know each other. She has a mind of her own; she is very talented and really wants to win. She did a couple of 1.50m classes last year and I think she is really ready to step up this year.

“She is a typical Irish horse; she just does enough but the more you ask of her the higher she jumps, she always produces the goods and has something more in the tank. I think she has it in her to go far and I couldn’t be happier with how things went in Cavan.

“She [Cushions] was bred and produced by Edward Doyle; she is by Flex A Bill and out of the Flagmount Diamond mare Ard Flo, so she comes from some great Irish breeding.

“My plan now is to go to the one-star in Millstreet to give her some experience at 1.45 metre level and then hopefully to do the Premier series starting in Louth with a view to maybe going away during the summer to some shows,” added Walker.

The Irish Field Junior show jumper of 2014 Susan Fitzpatrick took second place with the German-bred Cavalino. By Cassini 1, the 13-year-old gelding is the latest addition to Fitzpatrick’s string and according to her mother Sharon, she is absolutely delighted to have him;

“Ger O’Neill from Castlefield Sport Horses heard about him when he was in Dubai and went and tried him for us. He rang me and said he thought we should come to Germany to see him. We went out for a couple of days and Susan got on well with him so we bought him, so we are very grateful to Ger for finding him.

“He was formerly ridden by Russian rider Vladimir Tuganov and competed at 1.50 and 1.60m level so he has plenty of experience which is what we wanted for Susan going forward.

“She has done so well on the ponies that we felt that she deserves this horse. We have waited a long time to find him and she is so excited about having him it’s fantastic. After the class yesterday she said, ‘he does everything I ask him; when I did a tight turn back he felt confident’, so that’s great for her riding; to see her so enthusiastic about a new horse is really what it’s all about.

“Riding him is a challenge for her; he is a big horse that has been ridden by a man for a long time, Susan is still getting to know him and his way of going, there are things that she knows she can improve on and she is looking forward to the process.

“She works hard and we have a nice bunch of young horses in right now. We have three four-year-olds and two very promising five-year-olds; Keatingstown Z Wellie One is one we are very pleased with; he is clever and careful and is also quick so we have high hopes for him.

“Susan is still just 15 years old but she has managed to acquire a lot of knowledge; she does regular dressage work with Anne Marie Dunphy which has helped no end with her flat work and helps her hugely in the ring.

“She also has benefited a lot with help from Ger O’Neill and lessons with Denis Flannery who has been guiding her for many years and has taught her a lot about understanding how to walk a course.

“Our plan now is ultimately to aim for the Junior European Championships this summer. It would be great to get to the Premier Grand Prix in Louth for some experience at that level and maybe get to Balmoral Show after that,” she added.

This was the ninth round of the Spring Tour and a large field of 70 lined out for the class. Catherine Thornton and Derryinver Luxury Cruise and Róisín Fagan and Ikan both continued their run of good form in the spring league, slotting into fourth and fifth place respectively.

THE LEADERBOARD

Leading young rider: Susan Fitzpatrick

Winning owner: Manuella Martinelli

ISH leading horse: Cushions

Castlefield 7/8-year-old: Chirokko M

Best Turned Out: Emily Turkington/Willem